Did you know that curb appeal can add between 7 – 11% to the perceived value of your home? That could mean a difference of around R150,000 to a R1.5m property, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at! The great news is that you can increase the value of your home without breaking the bank.
We’re taking a look at how the humble pressure cleaner can put money back in your pocket, whether you’re thinking of selling your home or you simply want to maintain its value.
Increase the Value of Your Home with a Clean Exterior
They say that first impressions count – and they’re absolutely right, whoever “they” are. While there are no firm statistics on how many people drive past a show home and don’t come in because they don’t like what they see, we all know that it happens. And, of course, those that do may present a lower offer (or none at all) if the property’s exterior looks neglected or dirty.
The bottom line is that a potential buyer will judge the interior of your home by their impression of the exterior. So while you’re busying yourself with a mirror in the hallway or a lick of paint in the bathroom to get the best sale price, the outside of your home may be doing the exact opposite.
Pressure Washing Driveways and Paving
Those paved areas around your property, and of course your driveway, bear the brunt of all the roof runoff, garden debris, and any leaks or contaminants coming from your cars. Over time they will darken and stain with grime, moss, or dirt and look less than fabulous. However, we can become blind to the effects of weather and day-to-day wear when we see it every day.
Calling in a professional crew to pressure wash these areas is a smart move. With the right products, those stains, marks and dull patches are lifted and whisked away, leaving a bright, clean pathway to your door. Even tarred drives can look freshly laid once the embedded dirt and grime have been blasted off.
The enhanced curb appeal offered by a clean, well-presented driveway and paving is a subtle way of telling prospective buyers that you care for your home and that they’re not taking on someone else’s headache.
Walls and Windows Too
You may be able to keep on top of your window cleaning schedule, but what about your exterior walls? And, what about those pesky skylights or second-storey windows that nobody can reach without endangering themselves?
Whether your home is a face-brick masterpiece or you’ve opted for plaster and paint, pressure washing is your best friend. Not only is it a super-quick way of getting rid of trapped debris and discolouration from the elements, but it’s a brilliant way of identifying cracks or damage that needs attention. Regular pressure washing allows you to keep abreast of external issues that could potentially morph into an internal problem, such as damp, while preventing problems in the first place.
So, your home not only looks fresh, clean, and well-maintained – it actually is all of those things. Eagle-eyed buyers will certainly note the difference between the careful care you’ve taken of your home’s exterior and the other property that they may be considering.
Windows, too, benefit from a thorough clean from the pressure washing pros. They can get to those hard-to-reach places and demolish spider webs, dust, debris, and mould around the external window frames. As a result of this simple process, the inside of your home will also be bright and light – another plus for your home.
Showing off the architecture of your home with grime-free decking, beautifully clean walls, and sparkling windows will always serve you well.
Roof and Gutters
Because we don’t see it, we often forget about the state of our roof. However, it’s likely that your roof and gutters are visible from the road, which means we have to give it a little TLC from time to time.
Again, high-pressure cleaning offers a range of benefits. Not only does it shift loose debris, leaves and dirt, but it also gets right under that stubborn moss and mould that can take hold of your roof tiles. The concentrated blast of a high-pressure system by a professional cleaning company makes short work of your gutters and downpipes, ensuring that they are flowing freely and clean.
Roofing issues are a major concern for new buyers, as they can spell expensive repairs down the line. Avoid questions about roof leaks, damp walls, mould, mildew, and rotting roof trusses by keeping the roof and guttering clean and clear.
First Impressions Last
It’s clear that the simple, easy process of high-pressure washing the exterior of your home is a key ingredient to increasing its value. Not only will it look great, but it also keeps maintenance costs down by helping you address small problems before they become big.
Of course, you want to call in professionals that you can trust, don’t you? If that’s the case, please feel free to give our team a call.